IT'S RELEVANT ORIGINAL

Westport Seeking Homeowners in Flood Zones

Westport needs info to apply for FEMA grant

The town of Westport is taking action to better serve its flood zone homeowners, announcing today it will apply to FEMA’s Flood Mitigations Assistance program.

Recently, the Federal government announced the allocation of $112 million in funding through two Hazard mitigation assistance programs: FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance and Pre-Disaster Mitigation. The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant seeks to reduce claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by helping residents better plan and protect themselves from flooding disasters, like Hurricane Sandy.

Only those covered by NFIP are eligible under the grant, for activities including: Structural elevations, property acquisitions and structure demolition, dry flood-proofing (non-residential only) and mitigation re-construction.

In order for Westport to successfully complete the application, homeowners will need to provide information to the town government. The town will need a professionally developed cost estimate, construction plans and elevation grades. Homeowners with questions and those intending to apply should contact Chief Andrew Kingsbury or Michele Onofrio at the Westport Office of Emergency Management (203) 341-5024 as soon as possible, completed grant applications are due June 9, 2014.

There is no guarantee Westport will secure this grant, as FEMA has already announced the process is subject to Federal ranking. Priority, they say, is subject to buildings listed as Severe Repetitive Loss and Repetitive loss.